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A F L C O A C H E S - C O D E O F C O N D U C T

Administration Procedure*CODES OF CONDUCT BREACH

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3Club Consultation Mentoring Disciplinary

1.1 Coach issued with a Code of Conduct Citation 1.1.2 Breach to be outlined inaccordance with Coaches Codeof Conduct1.3 Coach to meet withClub Management Committee

• League to issue citationnotice.

• Club to counsel coach.• Club to reply in writing to

Junior League body, no longerthan 1 week after meeting,outlining action and/orapproach adopted

MONITORING PROCESSLeague OfficialUmpire (if not reportableoffence)

• Club• Coach• Regional Development Officer

2.1 Coach issued with aCode of Conduct Citation 2.2.2 As per 1.22.3 League to issue notification oframifications of a further breach toa coach2.4 Regional DevelopmentManager to counsel and assistwith strategy to Coach deliveryand behaviour.

• League to issue citation notice.• Regional Development

Manager or appointed Level 3Coach to facilitateimplementation of strategiesto modify behaviour.

MONITORING PROCESSRandom monitoring by LeagueExecutive or appointed persons.Regional Development Managerto observe all coaches issuedwith Level 1 citation.

• Club• Coach• Regional Development Officer• State Coaching Manager

3.1 Coach issued with aCode of Conduct Citation 3.3.2 As per 2.13.3 Coach’s record to bepresented to State CoachingManager3.4 Coach to be de-registeredfrom National CoachingAccreditation Scheme (NCAS)

• League to issue citation• State Coaching Manager to

administer• National Coaching

Development Manager advised

MONITORING PROCESSAs in Level 2

• Club• Coach• Regional Development Officer• State Coaching Manager• National Coaching

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AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct

Positive procedures for coaches at all levelsPositive procedures for coaches at all levels

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The AFL gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Government for AFL Game Development Programs,

through the Australian Sports Commission.


A ustralian Football coaches (and officials who appointthem) are becoming increasingly aware that, as membersof the wider community and the sports industry, they

have legal and ethical obligations to present themselves in publicin accordance with acceptable standards of behaviour.

Recognition of this fact by the AFL and affiliated bodies is shownin many ways including the requirement for coaches to beaccredited and a focus on safety, legal and behaviouralinformation in coaches’ courses and seminars.

It is important to maintain standards amongst Australian footballcoaches for the integrity of the sport and the general good ofcoaches. The AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct is an outline ofacceptable behaviours.The code is not intended to be lengthy, ordetailed and does not remove the requirement for coaches toexercise judgement. However it does stand as a model forleagues, clubs and schools to expect that basic standards ofbehaviour are maintained. By accepting the Code, coaches aresignifying commitment to supporting minimum standards of goodcoaching and the concepts of responsibility, competence andpropriety within coaching.

The AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct has been in existence andincluded in coaching manuals for many years. Study of the Codeis an integral part of AFL coach accreditation courses andcoaches are required to sign their agreement to comply with theCode as part of the accreditation process. Increasingly, clubs andleagues are reinforcing codes of behaviour for coaches and otherparticipants at local level as part of a drive to improve the qualityof club environments. There is an expectation that all Australianfootball coaches are aware of their responsibilities under the AFLCoaches Code of Conduct and act accordingly.

ANDREW DEMETRIOU – AFL Chief Executive Officer

F O R E W O R D


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I understand that as an integral component of my accreditation, I mustmaintain a standard of behaviour and conduct in the best interests of thegame and the players/staff in my care.

In representing myself in an honest manner, and without bringing thecoaching profession or the Game into disrepute, I will endeavour touphold the following to the best of my ability:

1. I will respect the rights, dignity and worth of all individuals withinthe context of my involvement in Australian Football, includingrefraining from any discriminatory practices on the basis of race,religion, ethnic background, or special ability/disability.

2. I will abide by and teach the AFL Laws of the Game and the Rulesof my Club and League/Association.

3. I will be reasonable in the demands I make on the timecommitments of the players in my care, having due consideration fortheir health and well-being.

4. I will be supportive at all times and I will refrain from any form ofpersonal abuse or unnecessary physical contact with the players in mycare.

5. I will have due consideration for varying maturity and ability levelsof my players when designing practice schedules, practice activities andinvolvement in competition.

6. I will avoid overplaying the talented players aiming to maximiseparticipation and enjoyment for all players regardless of ability.Where Iam responsible for players in the 5-12 year old age group, I will striveto ensure that all players gain equal playing time.

7. I will stress and monitor safety always

8. In recognising the significance of injury and sickness, I will seek andfollow the physician’s advice concerning the return of injured or illplayers to training

T H E A F L C O A C H E S ’ C O D E O F C O N D U C T


9. I will endeavour to keep informed regarding sound principles ofcoaching and skill development, and of factors relating to the welfareof my players

10. I will at all times display and teach appropriate sporting behaviour,ensuring that players understand and practise fair play.

11. I will display and foster respect for umpires, opponents, coaches,administrators, other officials, parents and spectators.

12. I will ensure that developing players are involved in a positiveenvironment where skill learning and development as priorities are notovershadowed by a desire to win.

13. I reject the use of performance enhancing substances in sport andwill abide by the guidelines set forth in the AFL DRUG POLICY.

I agree to the following terms:

1. I agree to abide by the AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct.

2. I acknowledge that the AFL, or a body affiliated with the AFL, maytake disciplinary action against me if I breach the code of conduct. Iunderstand that the AFL, or a body affiliated with the AFL, is requiredto implement a complaints handling procedure in accordance with theprinciples of natural justice, in the event of an allegation against me.

3. I acknowledge that disciplinary action against me may include de-registration from the AFL National Coaching Accreditation Scheme.

Note. This Coaches’ Code of Conduct is to be signed and conformedto as part of the accreditation requirements of the AFL. Coaches shouldbe aware that, in addition to this Code, they may be obliged to sign afurther Code of Conduct/Ethics with their Club and/or League.

T H E A F L C O A C H E S ’ C O D E O F C O N D U C T

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T he AFL Coaches’ Code of Conduct is now linked to anestablished procedure for compliance. The spirit of theCode is to provide guidelines for conduct during the

course of coaching activities. The intention in administering theCode is to identify coaches who may require fur ther educationand training. One off, minor breaches of the Code will beaddressed through a consultation and tutoring process which willallow coaches ample oppor tunity to modify their behaviour so asto allow more effective delivery of coaching.

Coaches, to whom the Code of Conduct applies (all AFL accreditedcoaches), acknowledge and accept that the AFL, directly or through itsaffiliates, may take disciplinary action and apply sanctions if the Code isbreached. Such disciplinary action may lead to penalties and coaches willabide by the penalties applied under the Code.

Generally, complaints regarding breaches of the Code of Conductshould be dealt with at the appropriate local level. In the first instanceone-off, minor breaches should be dealt with at club level. This policy,including the attached flow char t provides guidance for theappropriate level at which a particular complaint should be dealt with.Any coach, against whom a breach of the Code is alleged, shall beafforded natural justice in the determination of the outcome.To ensurefairness, complaints should be dealt with in accordance with thefollowing processes.

A D M I N I S T R A T I O N


P R O C E D U R E S

Procedures in the case of an alleged breach of the Code

Formal Complaint

A complaint concerning a coach must be directed in writing to thegoverning body (Club, League or Association) of the competition inwhich the coach is active. Each Club, League or Association will appointa Compliance Officer to deal with the complaint. Generally an existingclub or league official, such as general manager, coaching coordinator orinvestigations officer, etc. can carry out this role.

A complaint concerning a breach of the code by a coach shall:

a) be in writingb) identify the coach against whom the complaint is madec) set out the details of the complaintd) identify the name and address of the complainante) be signed by the complainant

The Compliance Officer will determine whether the complaint is madein the proper form as set out above and comes within the scope of theCode of Conduct policy.

If, at the discretion of the Compliance Officer, the complaint does notcomply with the above, the complainant will be informed in writing andmay submit a corrected complaint.

Investigation

Within seven days of the complaint being received, the ComplianceOfficer will provide written details of the complaint to the coach againstwhom the complaint is made and allow the coach to respond.The coachshall have 14 days to respond to the complaint in writing or in personto the Compliance Officer. Taking into account the complaint and thereply, the Compliance Officer shall determine whether:

• the complaint is to be dismissed or upheld,• disciplinary action is necessary, in which case sanctions may be applied.• further investigation is required, or • a formal hearing is required.

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Formal hearing

If a formal hearing is required, the Club, League or Association shallappoint an appropriate panel to hear the complaint (this can be theexisting League or Association tribunal). In any case, the panel shall bemade up of impartial persons who have had no prior involvement in thematter or any direct or indirect relationship with or to the parties in thematter. It is recommended that one of the panel members shall be anaccredited coach. The majority decision of the panel will bedeterminative.

Appeal Process

Any appeal to the decision will be made within two days to the Leagueor Association which will hear an appeal within their disputesdetermining system (i.e. tribunal or appeals board). Any penaltyadministered by the original panel will remain in force pending theoutcome of an appeal.

Penalties

Penalties and sanctions open to be imposed by the Compliance Officer,Conduct Panel or Appeals Body may, depending on the severity of thebreach, include one, or a combination, of the following:

• issuing citation notices• requiring verbal or written apology• letter of reprimand from the Club, League or Association• the removal of certain privileges of membership• referral to counselling by or through State or Regional

Development/Coaching staff• suspension from coaching duties and privileges• deregistration

P R O C E D U R E S


DEREGISTRATION

Deregistration means the withdrawal of AFL Coach Accreditation for aset time (suspension) or for life.

Generally, under the AFL policy of compulsory accreditation for coaches,deregistration will mean a person who has their accreditationsuspended or withdrawn will not be able to engage in coaching activitiesin any affiliated organisation during that time.

Coaches who are sanctioned under this policy may also be subject tothe disciplinary rules and processes of the Australian footballorganisations in which they are actively involved, including referral to theLeague tribunal or other properly constituted disciplinary mechanisms.In the most serious cases coaches may also be subject to criminalprosecution.

In accordance with the spirit of the Code of Conduct, a three-stagecitation process, in line with accompanying flow chart, is recommendedby the AFL for dealing with breaches of the AFL Coaches’ Code ofConduct.

The operation of the process will be monitored by the State CoachingManager of the AFL affiliate in the state concerned.

P R O C E D U R E S

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A F L C O A C H E S ’ C O D E O F C O N D U C T - A D M I N I S T R A T I O N F L O W C H A R T

*numbers correspond with AFL Code of Conduct items.

Made by another coach, player, umpire,parent, club, league or Australian Football official

(eg ground marshall, coach monitor etc)

COMPLAINT OF BREACH OF AFL COACHES’ CODE OF CONDUCT (Made in writing)

Recommended Procedures

MODERATE/SEVERE BREACHES& RE-OCCURENCES (All Items)

LEAGUE INVESTIGATION &DISCIPLINARY PROCESS

LEAGUE APPEALS PROCESS(If required)

RESOLVEDCitation IssuedIf appropriate

UNRESOLVED

MINOR BREACHItems 1 - 12*

CLUB INVESTIGATIONPROCESS

RESOLVEDCitation 1 Issued if appropriate

CLUB COUNSELING,MENTORING ETC

Citation 2STATE/REGIONAL

DEVELOPMENT MANAGERCOUNSELING, MENTORING

Citation 3 - DE-REGISTRATION Letter of de-registration

• limited time or life• in consultation with State Coaching Manager &

National Coaching Development Manager)


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